How to Choose the Best Hunting Decoys

A decoy is a man-made, artificial object meant to imitate either the game species or prey species of what you are hunting. Hunting decoys are useful tools while hunting specific animals. There are decoys for turkey hunting, waterfowl hunting, and even predator hunting. Decoys are also designed to mimic certain scenarios depending on the animal you are trying to attract. This guide will help explain some of the different types of decoys used for hunting and how to use them.

What Decoys Work Best for Ducks & Waterfowl?

Waterfowl decoys are very helpful when hunting ducks or geese. These decoys are typically made of plastic or rubber and are painted to resemble the male and female species of waterfowl you are hunting. Having decoys is a way for hunters to trick or convince passing birds to feel safe in landing near them in order for the hunters to get a good shot. When ducks or geese fly over a group of decoys, they view that area as a safe area to land and either eat or rest. 

How Many Decoys Should I Use for Duck Hunting?

Most waterfowl hunters will use multiple decoys to draw in birds, but the amount you use depends on the birds you are hunting and the surrounding area. If you are hunting a large open field for geese or a large, open body of water for geese and ducks, then setting out a large number of decoys may be helpful. If you are hunting a smaller area like a small pond, then overcrowding the pond with decoys may not be as useful.  Using decoys effectively requires a decent amount of trial and error but is worth the effort.

What Are the Best Duck Decoys?

There are different styles of waterfowl decoys. There are:

• Floating decoys
• Motion decoys
• Standing decoys
• Shell decoys

Floating decoys are exactly what they sound like; they are decoys that are designed to be placed in the water. 

Motion decoys are decoys that move to mimic ducks feeding or flapping their wings. These decoys are either battery-powered or have a pull string that goes from the decoy back to the hunter, who makes motion by pulling the string. The benefit of having motion decoys is that it adds a level of detail that makes the decoys seem more lifelike. 

Shell decoys are hollow-bodied shells that are often used in a field or on the bank of a body of water. 

Standing decoys are often used for geese in fields and stand upright, displaying the full body of a goose. Having a mix of the various types of decoys can often give you the most realistic display and the best chances for a successful hunt.

What Decoys Work Best for Turkey?

Turkey decoys are often used during the spring turkey season to draw in male turkeys. These decoys are often made of rubber, plastic, foam, and sometimes with real turkey feathers. There are different types of turkey decoys, but the most common are female turkeys (Hens) and male turkeys (Toms and Jakes). Hunters will place a hen decoy out and then call to the toms. Since turkeys mate in the spring, the toms are drawn to the hen call and the hen decoy. Hunters will often use a tom or Jake decoy with the hen decoy to attract toms who are territorial and want to fight the tom decoy. Another decoy that hunters will use for turkey hunting is a fan. These resemble the tom turkey’s tail fanned out, which attracts the toms who are territorial.

Using a tom decoy in conjunction with a hen decoy can be useful in some circumstances. However, a tom decoy may also scare off a Jake or another tom who is not looking to fight over the hen. You will likely need to try different setups in order to be successful.

Do Predator Decoys Work?

Predator decoys are used to attract animals such as coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. These decoys are typically used in conjunction with a game call and consist of a moving piece of fur that resembles frantically moving prey. The fur often resembles rabbit fur and sits on a rotating base that wiggles the fur. This motion draws in predators for hunters to get a shot. In short, predator decoys work very well when hunting coyotes and other predators. 

Do Deer Decoys & Elk Decoys Work?

Some hunters will use big game decoys of both bucks and does while hunting whitetail, which are mostly made out of foam. During the hunting season, especially during the rut, or mating season, bucks become more aggressive. The aggressive behavior of bucks is towards other bucks when competing for does to mate with. During the rut, hunters will place a doe decoy out to attract a buck that is interested in mating. Hunters will also use another buck decoy to draw in a buck in the area who wants to fight or scare off the decoy buck, so they have less competition during the rut. Both these methods can be used to have a successful hunt, primarily during the rut. This same principle applies to hunters who hunt Elk. Some hunters will use a silhouette decoy of a Cow Elk during mating season to attract a Bull Elk.

Finding the Best Hunting Decoy for You

Hunting decoys are essential pieces of hunting gear that can be used in many different ways. Decoys attract animals in different ways. Some are used to attract animals to a spot that makes them more comfortable because they see the decoys, such as waterfowl. Other decoys are designed to attract male animals during mating season to a female decoy or a male decoy that represents competition. Finally, some decoys are used to attract predators by resembling prey. 

Choosing the correct decoy for your hunt will depend on the location, species, and general behavior of the animals in that area, and can be a process of trial and error to find the correct decoy setup. Generally speaking, having more decoys is more helpful, but it is also more stuff you have to carry into the field. Setting up your decoys early is important so that you are ready when the target game appears. It is also important to understand the local hunting laws in regard to using a decoy for the specific species and location you will be hunting, but all the extra work and consideration of using decoys is worth it when you have a fruitful hunt.